Strong winds, heavy wet snow predicted for Central Mass.

Wednesday

Mar 6, 2013 at 1:52 PMMar 6, 2013 at 10:20 PM

By Linda Bock and Steven H. Foskett Jr. TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Central Massachusetts residents kept a keen eye on weather forecasts — and the sky — as they wondered whether the storm making its way to New England tonight would cause school cancellations or impact other scheduled activities

According to the National Weather Service, "A strong ocean storm will slowly pass well southeast of New England through Friday. Strong winds and heavy wet snow will wrap to the north of this storm. The heaviest snow is expected across parts of Central Massachusetts and Northern Rhode Island."

Temperatures in Worcester reached 35 degrees by 1 p.m. today, with fairly high humidity. Intermittent snow squalls brought with them gusty winds in the afternoon.

Area residents woke to a messy mix of rain, sleet and snow — depending on where they live — as they geared up for a late-winter storm predicted to last into Friday.

A winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service will be in effect from 7 a.m. Thursday until 1 p.m. Friday for all of Worcester County.

An ocean storm is the culprit. It will bring the potential for heavy snow and strong winds for the next couple of days.

The storm was expected to be well southeast of New England tonight.

Meteorologists are estimating 4 to 8 inches of snow for Central Massachusetts.

Forecasters said new snow of 1 to 3 inches was expected overnight. Another 2 to 4 inches is likely tomorrow. The storm will continue through Thursday night into Friday.

Authorities are advising residents to avoid traveling during the height of the storm or during periods of low visibility.

Highway and public works crews shifted into preparation mode.

“We're watching it very closely as you can imagine,” said Lunenburg Department of Public Works Director Jack Rodriquenz. “Almost hourly.”

Mr. Rodriquenz said he has come to realize that meteorologists aren't always 100 percent accurate.

“We prepare for the high amount,” Mr. Rodriquenz said. Unfortunately, he said, the expected snow will not be the light, fluffy snow of the recent blizzard. He said the “sloppy concrete” type of snow expected in the coming days will be a challenge to clear.

As it stands now, forecasters are predicting a storm duration in excess of 30 hours.

“This will be a very difficult storm, very hard on the men,” Mr. Rodriquenz said of his crew.

It's supposed to be nice this weekend, though. The forecast is calling for sunny skies and temperatures in the 40s for Saturday and Sunday.

The Worcester parking ban went into effect at 8 tonight. Webster's ban went into effect at 2:30 p.m.

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority has postponed a hearing scheduled for Thursday evening at the Worcester Public Library. No new date has been set.

State Sen. Richard T. Moore has cancelled office hours scheduled for Thursday evening at the Dudley Municipal Complex. No new date has been set.

A planned rally in favor of supporting communities through broad-based tax increases has been postponed. The event, which was scheduled for Thursday morning at the Worcester Public Library, has not been rescheduled.

A storm cancellationwas a lecture by author Rachel Herz about her recent book, “That's Disgusting,” which examines disgust as a human emotion. The talk was scheduled for Wednesday night at the Jewish Community Center in Worcester.